DIY Woodgrain Notebook
Start out with two pieces of thick chipboard that measure 6" x 5 1/2" as well as a strip of canvas or grossgrain ribbon that measures 2" x 5 1/2".
Sew canvas or ribbon onto one 5 1/2" side of each piece of chipboard. I attached the canvas with double-sided tape to hold it in place while I sewed. Make sure to leave about 1/3" of space between the two pieces of chipboard so that it has room to fold.
Cut out your woodgrain contact paper so that there is about 1" overhang on each side.
Carefully attach the first page of your chipboard book to the sticky side of the contact paper and smooth out before attaching the rest.
Fold over the top and bottom edges so that they are wrapped over tightly. Attach double-sided tape or mounting squares to the corners where the top has folded over and then fold over both of the short sides.
It should look like this.
I used vintage wallpaper to cover the chipboard on the inside but you could also use scrapbook paper or more woodgain to cover it. Measure your two pieces to overlap the 'naked' space. Two separate pieces allows for easy folding room. I covered the inside edges with a strip of tape.
Next you'll want to cut your paper of choice to measure 11 1/2" x 5" and fold in half.
Align the middle of your paper fold with the chipboard fold and poke three holes through both paper and chipboard. I used an awl but a heavy embroidery needle may also work. Starting from the inside of your book, thread through the bottom hole and come back out through the middle hole.
Then thread down through the top hole and double back to thread through the middle hole again.
Finally, you'll pull the needle through the bottom hole between the paper and chipboard, as well as the other end of the string. Tie a knot and trim string.
The spine of the book should look like this.
Due to the stiffness of the contact paper, you may want to place a heavy item on your book until you're ready to use it.
Alter it to make it a mini album or use it as a journal for ideas. And when your best friend asks you where you got it, tell her you know this really great blog...
i'm sooo excited to try this! i've recently moved away for my friends and i think this will be a fun journal to have 'travel' between us! thanks rachel! rv girls rock!
xo!
Posted by:Jari | April 22, 2008 at 04:43 PM
This is genuis!!! Love it.
Posted by:Kara | April 22, 2008 at 05:05 PM
oh my goodness...i just picked up some woodgrain contact paper the other day and was wanting to do this! i just couldn't figure out how i was going to bind it! thanks for the tips! RV rocks!
-emjay
Posted by:Michelle | April 22, 2008 at 05:32 PM
I ADORE THIS!!!
Posted by:Sarah Bowen | April 22, 2008 at 05:36 PM
I ADORE THIS!!!
Posted by:Sarah Bowen | April 22, 2008 at 05:36 PM
I ADORE THIS!!!
Posted by:Sarah Bowen | April 22, 2008 at 05:36 PM
ooohhh I love this!
Posted by:dani | April 22, 2008 at 06:14 PM
amazing!!!
Posted by:tisha | April 22, 2008 at 06:30 PM
Love it!! :) Love your step by step instructions too :)
Posted by:Charin Reed | April 22, 2008 at 07:08 PM
so fun! thank you!!!
Posted by:amanda | April 22, 2008 at 07:33 PM
Love this! :)
Posted by:mandy ford | April 22, 2008 at 08:39 PM
Oh thank you!
Posted by:*karen | April 22, 2008 at 10:05 PM
Oh my goodness, this is so fabulous! Anytime I can create my own scrapbook is a perfect project in my opinion! As always, you continue to inspire.. :)
Posted by:Ann-Marie | April 22, 2008 at 10:20 PM
Super cute... we had this stuff on our drawer when I was a kid... who would have thought :)
Posted by:Neen | April 23, 2008 at 12:23 AM
love it!! will have to try it!
Posted by:Lisa | April 23, 2008 at 06:53 AM
love it!
Posted by:Jessica Hood | April 23, 2008 at 08:02 AM
super fun! I will have to give it a try!
Posted by:Lauren Z | April 23, 2008 at 08:58 AM
hiyyyyyyyyyaaa I need to make one of these. I love the graph paper.
Posted by:Betty | April 23, 2008 at 11:02 AM
awesome!
Posted by:capello | April 23, 2008 at 01:48 PM
this is lovely! you come up with the coolest creations!
Posted by:brooke | April 23, 2008 at 04:53 PM
awesome idea! I'm totally loving the woodgrain! Thanks for sharing. :D:D
Posted by:Holly Neufeld | April 23, 2008 at 08:23 PM
KILLER project!
love it.
Posted by:Amy Tangerine | April 23, 2008 at 09:26 PM
Love this! Thank you for sharing!
Posted by:Alex | April 24, 2008 at 04:40 AM
thank you so much for sharing that project. i have been searching for a simple way of making personalized notebooks for some family members. i can't wait to get it together!
Posted by:Mary | April 24, 2008 at 07:19 AM
Oh my gosh! That vintage wallpaper is the exact wallpaper that was in my laundry room. I didn't think that stuff still existed. :) Love the album.
Posted by:Jennifer | April 24, 2008 at 08:22 AM